ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 Shortly before Orange County Fire Chief Anthony Rios abruptly resigned Tuesday, records obtained by News 6 show the veteran firefighter was expecting to receive a brand new 2026 Ford Expedition.<\/p>\n
Yet when Rios was questioned about the $61,234 vehicle purchase at a recent county budget meeting, the chief appeared to deny it.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you have a new car too?\u201d Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe asked the chief during the July 15 budget workshop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not,\u201d replied Rios.<\/p>\n
Rios now acknowledges his response to the commissioner\u2019s question could be \u201cperceived as inaccurate\u201d, according to his resignation letter.<\/p>\n
Photographs captured by News 6 confirm the Ford Expedition has already been delivered to the chief\u2019s office at Orange County Fire Rescue headquarters.<\/p>\n
Timelapse images from a weather camera in the fire department\u2019s parking lot reviewed by News 6 show a similar-looking SUV moving around for at least the past month and occasionally being parked near the building\u2019s rear entrance.<\/p>\n
Fire department officials did not immediately respond to questions from News 6 about when the Expedition first arrived at the agency\u2019s headquarters and if Rios had driven it yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring my recent budget presentation to the Board of County Commissioners, I responded to a question regarding the purchase of a county-assigned vehicle,\u201d Rios wrote in his resignation letter. \u201cAlthough the purchase complied with all county procurement policies and procedures, my response did not fully communicate the complete context and, as a result, could only be perceived as inaccurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Fire Chief, I understand that intent does not diminish impact, and I accept full responsibility for my words,\u201d Rios added.<\/p>\n
Orange County fire officials did not respond to questions from News 6 inquiring about the chief\u2019s need for a new vehicle.<\/p>\n
In 2024, while Rios was serving as deputy chief, county records show he was assigned a new Ford Explorer that originally cost nearly $45,000 before the addition of emergency equipment and other accessories.<\/p>\n
A June 2026 purchase order for the Ford Expedition indicates it was approved by the county\u2019s Vehicle Requirements Utilization Committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnit needed to support emergency responses operations during flooding and other extreme weather events,\u201d the purchase order states. \u201cUnit has higher ground clearance and cargo capacity than standard sizes SUV\u2019s for additional gear.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Expedition was scheduled to be outfitted with more than $14,000 in equipment including emergency lights, siren speakers and a radio, county records show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision has not been easy, but I believe it is the best interest of both the department and Orange County Government,\u201d Rios wrote in his resignation letter. \u201cIt allows the important work of this department to continue without distraction and ensures the focus remains where it belongs: serving our residents and visitors while supporting the dedicated professionals who devote themselves each day to protecting our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Uribe, who is among four candidates running to become Orange County\u2019s next mayor, told News 6 her question to Rios about vehicle purchases came while asking about the timeline for firefighters to receive backpay raises under a recent union contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never expected he would resign. I hoped he would have apologized,\u201d said Uribe. \u201cIt\u2019s taxpayer money, and we want to know where its being spent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChief Rios has been a dedicated member of the Department for over 26 years, most recently serving as the Department\u2019s Fire Chief since June 27, 2025,\u201d Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said in a statement announcing Rios\u2019s resignation. \u201cHis service has benefited the Department and its personnel in many ways, and he is commended for his commitment to serving our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Chief John Westmoreland will serve as Acting Fire Chief, Demings said.<\/p>\n
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